Conversation With Clash President Peter Bridgewater
-August 12, 1998
Sent To Mr. Bridgewater:
Mr. Bridgewater,
Hello, I doubt you remember me but about a month and a half ago I
sent you an e-mail about the whole Hermosillo deal. And eventually you
called me and tried to ease my mind and the anger I felt about the whole
situation. You also game me your number and told me to call you at
anytime if I felt angry or wanted to talk about the team. Well I am
too scared to call you, because I feel that i'd pretty much be bothering
you for something that wasn't really all that important. Afterall I am
just an ordinary fan.So I figured if you got my message the first time why
then you should get it this time.
Here is my situation the team stinks for the most part and there
doesn't seem to be any direction. Mr. Rothenberg is now coming in and
that is good, but besides that it looks like eric Wynalda is going to
be gone after this season. And for me as a huge Eric Wynalda fan for many
years, that is hard to swallow. The allocations we have gotten are
fairly pathetic. Like I expected Uribe is terrible, I know you called
and said he wasn't that bad and we were being unfair but he has shownno
ability to add anything to this team. Martin Vasquez, a big offseason
acqusition stinks too. Hes terrible. The draft for the most part was a
bust. I see Ben Parry was drafted and hes not on the team any longer.
The only bright spots this year in my opinion have been Wade Barrett
and Andy Kirk. Kirk looks like a stud out there, while Kramer, although he
has occasional brilliance, look like a timid mouse. The defense is
hapless, the midfield blows, our forwards are overrated, Brian Quinn
seems to be a great coach. Hes doing the most with the talent hes has.
But, you guys need to do something fast and big to keep fans like
myself and the loyal Casbah[season ticket holders] coming. I talk to a lot of
the Casbah people and all tell me unless something big happens that
theres no way their season tickets will be renwed. I know I havent
come out to as many games as I did last year. Its just no fun. I am not
sure what I am trying to say but I just want you to know that sooner or
later a fan can only take so much losing. And slowly but surely you are
losing fans and lose attendence numbers, losing season tickets and losing the
die hard fan. When you lose your die hard fans you know something is
wrong.just wanted to make sure you knew how the many fans feel.
Sajid
Mr. Bridgewater's Reply:
Sajid--
I actually do remember your correspondence regarding the Hermosillo
deal. Don't underestimate the "ordinary fan" as you call yourself.
You are our lifeblood and the reason the Clash and the MLS exists.
Therefore, I place a high priority on the opinions of the "ordinary
fan."
The team has struggled, certainly. It is very difficult to tap into
potential team chemistry. I have been frustrated and Coach Quinn has
been frustrated. Results do not come overnight. Results require some
experimentation and a lot of patience. Brian Quinn may have found a
good formula. We've won three of the last four, and have consistently
outplayed and created more scoring opportunities than our opponent for
the last seven games. I think we will make a strong run at the
playoffs and will find ourselves in the playoffs come October.
Mr. Rothenberg's involvement with the team will undoubtedly have a
positive impact on the team and organization.
I believe that it is premature to suggest that Eric is gone after this
season. Eric's attitude and dedication towards the team has never
been better. I think that is evident in his on-the-field performance.
He is playing inspired and desperately wants to make the playoffs.
We've searched for the right allocated player(s). Uribe may be
producing less than accepted at the moment, but Hermosillo, the player
we so actively sought for the last three years finds himself in a
similar situation with L.A. right now.
The college draft, league-wide, has not been as important as it was in
year one when teams had to fill entire rosters. It is difficult to
immediately come out of college and contribute to an MLS team. Ben
Parry struggled with a stomach virus which prevented him from being
100%. Wade Barrett, on the other hand, has made significant
contributions as a rookie out of college. He has been a consistent
starter or spark off the bench all season.
My hope is that you will be patient and remain loyal to your local MLS
team, the Clash, in the same way we continue to strive to serve you,
the fans. Thanks for your support of the Clash.
Regards,
Peter G. Bridgwater
Sent to Mr. Bridgewater:
Mr. Bridgewater-
First off all let me thank you for responding, that shows true class
on
your part and on The San Jose Clash's part. I am glad to hear that you
will be stay on with Mr. Rothenberg because I feel Brian Quinn and
yourself are good people for the job. I am still a Clash loyal, I
maintain a huge level of enthusiasm towards your team and come to your
games and follow every press article written. But still I feel the MLS
has set themselves up for failur if they do not rectify there
allocation
system. The rich keep on getting richer and the poor get nothing. The
Clash are very fortunate to hvae an onwer now, weather the owner is
Mr.
Rothenberg or not. The teams without owners seem to get the short end
of
th stick. Now I know your a busy man but I must ask you what is the
situation with Klinsman? Will he come th the Clash let alone the MLS.
I
hear Mr. Rothenberg this weekend say that if Klinsman signs he will
come
to the Clash. That would be great if you get him, a move like that or
similar would keep people excited and motivated about this team. You
guys have the best fans. I mean the team, no offense, has never been a
great team but you still draw very well. Imagine what would happen if
you guys brought in a Klinsman and one decent ball possesion type
midfielder? You guys are only one or two players away from being
elite.
I just hope you guys deal Uribe and Vasquez for cap room. And I beg of
you please do not trade John Doyle. I know this is long but let me end
on this is there any truth to the rumnor you guys had worked out a
deal
for Valderamma, but it fell through with the coaching change in Miami?
And is there any truth to the rumor that you guys are interested in
Campos? I know I have asked a lot I thank you for your time
Sincerely,
Sajid
Mr. Bridgewater's Reply:
Sajid:
Good to hear that you remain loyal to the Clash, through our good and
bad times. Mr. Rothenberg will be a great addition to the existing
Clash team. He has exhibited a good deal of confidence in the
organization and how it operates, a point he continuously cites when
asked why he selected the Clash over other team possibilities (whether
it be another league owned team or an expansion team.)
While few would argue that the MLS system is perfect, most would agree
that it is an effective system as a young professional sports league
endeavoring to establish itself as a major sport in an already
saturated with sports entertainment market. The league was structured
as it is and operates to protect itself to ensure future success.
What is good for the league as a whole is not always good for
individual teams. Everyone needs to understand that-- teams, fans,
media, etc. The fact that Alan is now on board with us gives us a
strong voice at owners' meetings, when we had to rely on the league to
speak on our behalf as well as the other league owned teams.
No one knows exactly what will happen with Klinsman. He had a very
good World Cup which may result in too high of a price tag for the
MLS. There has been speculation as to which team he would go to. The
leading candidates are L.A. and the Clash. It would be premature by
anyone to state where he would go, stay tuned. As soon as we know,
you'll read about it in the papers.
As you may be aware, the trade deadline came and went over the
weekend. While we attempted to make several significant trades,
nothing materialized. That means that our team roster will not change
between now and the end of the season, unless we choose to call up any
A-League or USISL players from our affiliate teams.
Keep up the enthusiasm and support for your Clash.
Peter G. Bridgwater